Bipolar Disorder Treatment NYC

What is Bipolar Disorder?

If you are suffering from short periods of elated mood, excess energy, lowered need for sleep, grandiose ideas, and even reckless behavior (such as spending a lot of money, engaging in risky sexual behavior, using drugs, etc.), you may be suffering from Bipolar I Disorder. If you are experiencing these episodes at times but other times you struggle with depression, you are likely suffering from Bipolar II Disorder. What makes Bipolar II Disorder different from depression is the presence of these short, high-energy periods called mania or hypomania. During such episodes, you may feel like you are a different person, and there are no limits as to what you can do in life. You may do things that you later regret, feel ashamed or embarrassed about, things that get you in trouble with the law or end up with serious consequences for your health, financial, social, work, and family relationships. Other times you may feel a lack of energy, sleepiness, apathy, hopelessness, concentration problems, weight gain or loss, lack of appetite, moodiness, and loss of pleasure. In some cases the depression and the mania/hypomania change rather rapidly, other times it can take months before a manic/hypomanic episode returns. Suffering from Bipolar Disorder can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster-ride emotionally for both you and your loved ones.

The good news is that we can help. New York Behavioral Health professionals use best practices. Since we use scientifically supported treatments for Bipolar Disorder, there is good reason to believe your (or your loved one's) symptoms can begin to improve very soon.

How Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Can Help with Bipolar Disorder

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has been shown to help those with depression and bipolar disorder, especially when combined with the proper medication. Warm, caring, psychologists, counselors, and therapists can offer CBT in a comfortable setting at New York Behavioral Health. We are conveniently located on Madison Avenue at 42nd Street. Our compassionate staff therapists and psychologists have been extensively trained in scientifically supported techniques to efficiently reduce your suffering and begin to get you living the life you want, as soon as possible. We know it is not easy to get started, but we can help to begin to reduce your suffering.
For information about Bipolar Disorder treatment to reduce your pain and suffering, please email or call New York Behavioral Health, and a staff member will be there to answer your questions. Your privacy and comfort are a priority, and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your symptoms or CBT treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

Bipolar Disorders (often referred to as Manic-Depression) consist of various types depending on the presence or absence of manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes. These include Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II, Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified, and variants depending on characteristics of the most recent episode.

Manic Episodes

Manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes need to be assessed in order for a mental health professional to properly diagnose these disorders.

Manic episodes require a minimum of a week of symptoms, which may include inflated sense of self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increases in pleasurable or goal-directed behaviors to the extent that there is a likelihood of disastrous consequences to personal safety and health, financial security, and familial, personal, and work relationships.

Hypomanic episodes involve symptoms similar to a manic episode, but only need to be present for four days and does not cause significant impairment.

Depressive episodes involve depressed mood or anhedonia, along with other symptoms including changes in weight, sleep, motor behavior, energy, worthlessness, guilt, concentration, hopelessness, or thoughts of death or suicide.

Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar I Disorder could be diagnosed when a manic (or mixed) episode has occurred. A depressive episode could be part of the course but is not necessary for a diagnosis of Bipolar I.

Bipolar II Disorder could be diagnosed if there has never been a manic (or mixed) episode and a hypomanic episode and depressive episode have occurred.

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Bipolar disorders are often treated with psychotropic medications, e.g., lithium and Depakote. There is scientific evidence that adding cognitive behavioral therapy as an adjunct can be helpful. Bipolar symptoms may decrease further and increases in coping skills are found when therapy is added.